Extension tube for elongated electrical heaters



A. M. FOOTE 3,119,977

EXTENSION TUBE FOR ELONGATED ELECTRICAL HEATERS Jan. 28, 1964 Filed June 16, 1961 Fig,/

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Allen M. F oofe United States Patent 0 3,119,977 EXTENSION TUBE FOR ELGNGATED ELECTRICAL HEATERS Allen M. Foote, Hendersonville, N.C. Filed June 16, 1961, Ser. No. 117,602 9 Claims. (Cl. 338-618) The present invention generally relates to electrical heating devices for use in installation in pianos, organs, closets, cabinets or other enclosures where it is desired to eliminate dampness and more specifically relates to an extension device for that type of heater disclosed in prior patent No. 2,511,910 for facilitating the mounting of the heater between spaced parallel walls or mounting members.

While elongated electrical heating elements or tubes are generally known as in Patent No. 2,511,910, there sometimes is a problem involved in mounting such heaters in proper orientation. For example, the heating device must be mounted in a piano or organ in such a manner that it does not interfere with the normal operation of the various components. Further, it is desirable to orientate the heating device in a particular relationship to certain of the components for most effective operation of the device for eliminating dampness.

Therefore, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a novel structure for enabling the elongated tubular heating member to be mounted between fixed vertical walls or supporting surfaces by virtue of providing extension ends on the heating member which may be extended into engagement with projecting pins mounted on the opposing surfaces between which the heating member is to be mounted.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extension for an elongated heating device including an end cap having a central opening for receiving a projecting pin on the confronting surface together with an eccentric opening through the end cap which provides for passage of the electrical conductor for supplying electrical energy to the heating device.

It is a further important object of the present invention to provide an extension tube for an elongated tubular heating device which generally is in the form of a sleeve having a split end telescopically received over the tubular heating device together with a clamp for selectively clamping the sleeve in longitudinally adjusted position in relation to the heating device.

Still another feature of the present invention is to provide an extension for an elongated tubular electrical heating device which is simple in installation, easy to use, effective for its particular purpose and generally inexpensive to manufacture. These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic elevational view illustrating the manner of mounting the extension of the present invention on the elongated tubular heating device;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially upon a plane passing n 3,119,977 Patented Jan. 28, 1964 along section line 22 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the structural details of the extension and the manner of attaching the extension to the heating device; and

FIGURE 3 is an exploded group perspective view of the components of the extension tube.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 11) generally designates the extension tube of the present invention for installation on the ends of an elongated tubular heating device 12 such as that disclosed in prior Patent No. 2,511,910 in which the heating device is provided with an electrical conductor 14 extending through a grommet 16 in one end thereof and which includes a pair of wires 18 for conducting electrical energy to a heating element (not shown) within the tubular heating device 12. The wires 18 are connected with a suitable male plug (not shown) for connection to any suitable female outlet socket for use in an obvious manner. The use of the extension 10 of the present invention enables the heating device 12 to be mounted between spaced parallel vertical walls 20 and 22 which may be the end walls or other vertical surfaces appearing in a piano, organ, closet, cabinet, case or wherever the heating device 12 has utility.

In order to support the heating device 12 between the confronting surfaces of the walls 20 and 22, the extension tube 10 is provided and telescopes over the end of the heating device 12 in a longitudinally adjustable manner.

The extension tube 13 includes an elongated cylindrical sleeve 24 which is relatively short in relation to the length of the heating device 12. The cylindrical sleeve 24 has diametrically opposed longitudinally extending slits or slots 26 formed therein for enabling collapse of this end of the sleeve 24 for gripping engagement with the heating device 12. A split ring clamp 28 is provided in encircling relation to the slotted end of the sleeve 24 and the clamp 28 is provided with outwardly extending spaced ears 36 which are interconnected by a suitable bolt and nut assembly 32 for purposes of clamping the sleeve 24 fixedly to the heating device 12 in longitudinally adjusted position.

The sleeve 24 has a constant diameter and cross sectional configuration throughout its length and the outer end thereof is closed by a cylindrical end cap 34 constructed of plastic, rubber or the like and the end cap 34 has a thickened outer wall 36 which actually contacts and forms a closure for the outer end of the sleeve 24. The outer surface of the end wall 36 is slightly convexed as illustrated in FIGURE 2 for enabling the device to be mounted on and engaged with the regular surfaces if esired.

Centrally disposed in the end wall 36 is an opening 33 in coaxial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the heating device 12 as well as the sleeve 24.

The end wall 20 is provided with a projecting pin 4t) which is in the form of a tubular spacer secured to the end wall 20 by a wood screw 42 having the usual head 44 and slot 46 therein. The pin formed by the tubular spacer is substantially the same diameter as the internal diameter of the opening 38 with the opening 38 being slightly larger for positioning over the mounting pin 40 as illustrated in FIGURE 2.

The end wall 36 is provided with a second opening 48 extending therethrough in an angular manner and eccentrically to the opening 53 for receiving the electrical conductor 14. Inasmuch as the opening 43 is adjacent the periphery of the end wall 36 and inasmuch as the outer surface of the end wall 36 is convex, this arrangement will provide sufficient space for passage of the electrical conductor 14 into the sleeve 24 without requiring any hole being formed in the sleeve 24.

Also, the opening 48 engages and may be of a. size to grip the electrical conductor 14- and will provide an auxiliary strain relief so that any force or jerk on the connector will not dislodge the heating device from its position since the ends of the device are rigidly mounted on the projecting pin 40. This construction provides a burr free outlet for the electric cord or conductor and provides means for getting the electrical conductor over against the end wall 2t) where it is out of the way. The convex or curved end surface of the cap 34 provides for full engagement with the mounting pin in the end wall and still allowing cl arance for the electrical conductor 14.

The extension of the present invention provides a means of making a rigid installation in many places so that it will not shake loose or shake out of position as originally determined.

It is quite easy to instml the heating device when using the extension tubes. By simply loosening one of the clamps, the extension can be pulled back far enough to easily disengage the end cap from the spacer and screw assembly in each end wall and the heating device may then be easily and quickly removed. Inasmuch as the plastic caps 34 have a curved outer surface, the heating device or unit can be temporarily installed by simply exerting a longitudinal pressure outwardly against the end walls and tightening both clamps. The friction and pressure thus created against the end walls will hold the heating device in place either for a temporary installation or while locating the best possible position for the heating unit for subsequent installation of the supporting pin 40. These extensions also enable the device to be shipped with very little additional length since the extensions may be moved completely down onto the heating device thus only increasing the length thereof a very small amount. The extensions on the ends may be equal or unequal in length and may vary from an inch or two to several feet and, in some instances, only one extension may be employed.

In installing the heating device with the extensions of the present invention incorporated therein, one of the extensions may be set and securely locked in position and the other extension tightened by virtue of the clamp until it will just slide longitudinally with an exertion of a small amount of pressure. The heating device is then placed in the piano and by sliding the movable extension out to the end wall for securing the heating device in desired position, the best location for the heating device may be determined. This enables the heating device to be properly orientated in relation to the various components of a piano, organ or the like.

The correct position on the end walls is then marked with a pencil by drawing a circle around each of the plastic caps. The heating device is then removed by moving the movable extension inwardly and the mounting pins or spacers are disposed in the center of the circles thus providing opposed aligning supporting pins. The heating device is then placed back in the piano and the extensions are adjusted until the holes in the end caps are fully disposed over the respective pins and the clamps are then tightened enough to hold the heating unit on the pins.

By making the extensions of a metal such as aluminum or the like, the effective length of the heating device will be elongated inasmuch as the extensions being in 4: surface to surface engagement with the heating device 12 will naturally conduct some of the heat longitudinally and thus providing additional drying means for the area of the cabinet or piano at the ends of the heating device.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A mounting assembly for an elongated tubular electrical heating unit for supporting said unit between confronting vertical surfaces comprising an extension tube longitudinally adjustably mounted in telescoping relation to each end of the heating unit, each of said extension tubes having an end cap thereon, each end cap having a central aperture therein, and protecting pin means mounted on the confronting surfaces for reception in the apertured end cap thus enabling the heating unit to be inserted in alignment with the pin means and the extension tubes moved laterally for positioning the apertured end caps over the projecting pin means thereby supporting the heating unit.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said end caps is provided with an eccentric opening for the passage of an electrical conductor, the end surface of each end cap being convex for providing space at the periphery thereof for passage of the electrical conductor.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said extension is in the form of the cylindrical sleeve having longitudinal slots in the ends thereof telescoping with the heating unit, and a clamp encircling the slotted end of the sleeve for securely clamping the sleeve in adjusted position thereby enabling mounting and disassembly of the heating unit between the walls.

4. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said pin means is in the form of a tubular spacer, and a wood screw inserted through the tubular spacer and into the end wall for securely mounting the tubular spacer in place and forming a supporting pin.

5. An extension for an elongated heating device comprising a sleeve telescopically and adjustably engaged with the heating device, the outside end of said sleeve having a closure cap with an opening therein, and a projecting pm on the wall surface for engagement in the opening in the end cap thereby mounting the sleeve and heating device in place, between spaced wall surfaces.

6. The structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said end cap is provided with an eccentric opening for reception of an electric cord, the outer surface of the end cap being convexly curved to provide a space at the discharge of the eccentric opening for reception of an electrical conductor even with the central part of the end cap engaged with a wall surface.

7. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said end caps is provided with an eccentrically disposed opening lockingly engaged with the electrical conductor for relieving strain and preventing dislodgement of the heating unit upon the application of force to the conductor.

8. A mounting assembly for an elongated member for supporting said member between confronting parallel surfaces comprising an extension tube longitudinally adjustably mounted in telescoping relation to each end of the elongated member, each of said extension tubes having longitudinal slots in the end telescoping the elongated member, a clamp encircling the slotted end of the sleeve for securely clamping the sleeve in a determined adjusted position, and at the other end of each extension tube an end cap made of resilient material and having a convex end surface such that when the extension tubes are moved laterally against the parallel surfaces the end caps become spring biased toward said surfaces and thus form 5 a frictional engaging means by which said elongated memher is mounted between said confronting surfaces.

9. The structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said elongated member is a tubular electrical heating unit and one of said end caps is provided with an eccentric open- 10 ing for the passage of an electrical conductor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Browne Feb. 5,

Maldaner Nov. 28,

Edmunds Oct. 13,

Straus Feb. 211,

Foote June 20,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain May 20, 

1. A MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR AN ELONGATED TUBULAR ELECTRICAL HEATING UNIT FOR SUPPORTING SAID UNIT BETWEEN CONFRONTING VERTICAL SURFACES COMPRISING AN EXTENSION TUBE LONGITUDINALLY ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED IN TELESCOPING RELATION TO EACH END OF THE HEATING UNIT, EACH OF SAID EXTENSION TUBES HAVING AN END CAP THEREON, EACH END CAP HAVING A CENTRAL APERTURE THEREIN, AND PROTECTING PIN MEANS MOUNTED ON THE CONFRONTING SURFACES FOR RECEPTION IN THE APERTURED END CAP THUS ENABLING THE HEATING UNIT TO BE INSERTED IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE PIN MEANS AND THE EXTENSION TUBES MOVED LATERALLY FOR POSITIONING THE APERTURED END CAPS OVER THE PROJECTING PIN MEANS THEREBY SUPPORTING THE HEATING UNIT. 